2018 Free Agent XI

The month of January signifies the second transfer window of the season. The winter window isn't nearly as eventful as the summer, especially considering the transfer records that were smashed just 4 months ago.

But a few big deals might take still take place in January, as clubs and managers aim to strengthen their squads going into the business end of the season.

Barcelona are still in pursuit of Philippe Coutinho, although his recent form might further increase Liverpool's €130 million valuation of him

Antoine Griezmann is reportedly unsettled at Atletico after the Mardid side's poor start to the season.

A host of Premier League clubs are still chasing Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk. Arsenal are also trying to sign Thomas Lemar after a failed attempt in August.

But there are also a number of players whose contracts run out in June next year, leaving them free to discuss their future with other clubs in January.

Even though these players will not probably start representing their new clubs until next summer, they might even capture attention than normal transfers. There are quite a few big names on this list, and their current clubs might start regretting not renewing their contracts sooner.

Here, we take a look at a starting XI of players available to sign a pre-contract agreement in the winter.

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GK: Michel Vorm

Italy and Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon runs out of a contract in June as well, but the 39-year-old has already announced his international retirement after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup. If he does choose to play for another season, it will most likely be at Juventus.

This brings us to the second best goalie available – Tottenham’s Michel Vorm. The Dutch stopper joined Spurs in 2014 as a backup for Hugo Lloris, but his French teammate’s form and consistency means he has only 10 league appearances so far.

He recently turned 34 and probably has only 3 to 4 years left in him. His contract expires next summer and this will give him the perfect opportunity to see out his playing days by getting some regular game time.

Crystal Palace and Celtic are interested in him. Spurs signed Paulo Gazzaniga from Southampton in the summer, so Pochettino will have no problems in letting Vorm leave.

Fullbacks

RB: Juanfran

Juanfran has fallen down the pecking order at Atletico

Juanfran graduated from Real Madrid’s academy and joined rivals Atletico after spending five seasons at Osasuna.

He has only 8 appearances in the league this season, with Croatian Sime Vrsajlko preferred at right back by Diego Simeone.

Although the Spaniard hasn’t been linked with a move away from Madrid yet, the fact that he hasn’t renewed his contract suggests that he’s keeping his options open.

He turns 33 next month, but can still play at the highest level for another couple of years. He might well be the perfect signing for clubs looking for short-term options at right-back this winter.

LB: Daley Blind

Blind has lost his place in the team to Smalling, Jones, Bailly and Rojo

Utility man Blind is one of several United players running out of a contract next year. He was one of Louis van Gaal’s first signings at the club, and he’s also been an important part of the Dutch national team ever since.

Calm and composed on the ball, Blind is capable of playing at centre-back, left back or defensive midfield. His passing abilities enable him to start attacking moves from the back.

With only 4 appearances in the league this season, Blind has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford, with Mourinho preferring the more traditional mindset of Jones and Smalling.

Barcelona have emerged as surprising suitors for the Dutchman’s signature. Inter Milan are also reportedly interested.

It might be a good idea for Blind to move on in January if he remains the second choice at United, especially considering that he will be hitting his peak soon.

Centre-backs

CB: Stefan de Vrij

The time has come for de Vrij to seek out a bigger challenge

Dutch centre-back Stefan de Vrij has risen in stature since joining Lazio from Feyenoord in 2014, being linked with Manchester United innumerable times.

He’s still only 25 years old, and is already one of the best defenders in the Serie A. With 31 appearances for the national team, he was an integral member of the squad that finished 3rd in the 2014 World Cup, notably scoring in the 5-1 group stage demolition of Spain.

Lazio have reportedly told the Dutchman he can leave in January, with Liverpool keeping an eye on him in case their pursuit of compatriot van Dijk doesn’t pay off. United have also been linked with him again.

With the 2018 World Cup fast approaching, de Vrij might consider moving to a bigger club, with the best years of his career still ahead of him.

CB: Giorgio Chiellini

The Italian legend runs out of a contract in June

Chiellini is already 33 years old but is still the first choice for Juventus, which makes the fact that his contract hasn't been renewed yet very puzzling.

There's almost absolutely no chance of Juve letting him leave, and there also haven't been many suitors for him.

Antonio Conte was reportedly keen on being reunited with him at Chelsea, but recent reports from Turin suggest that Allegri is preparing contract renewals for Chiellini, Andrea Barzagle and Alex Sandro.

The Italian legend will probably still be playing at Juve next season, but will still run out of a contract very soon, which gets him a spot on this list,

CM: Joao Moutinho

Moutinho might be an unexpected bargain in the winter transfer window

The Portuguese midfielder was a very important, yet underrated player in Monaco’s run to the Ligue 1 title last season.

He’s still an important member of the team, although Monaco haven't been unable to replicate their exploits of last season.

At the age of 31, Moutinho has no reason to leave, but he will be an intriguing option for clubs looking for a quality midfielder on the cheap.

In that sense, its surprising that no club has made an approach for him yet, but anything can happen once the window opens next week.

CM: Leon Goretzka

Goretzka was the standout performer in the Confederations Cup for Germany

22-year-old German midfielder Leon Goretzka has been the talk of the town ever since his string of impressive performances in Germany’s successful Confederations Cup campaign earlier this year.

His versatility allows him to be deployed anywhere in midfield, and a keen goalscoring sense has evoked comparisons to Lampard and Scholes. His height and heading abilities also make him very dangerous from set pieces.

His contract situation has fueled rumours of a move to Barcelona, with the Catalans being linked with him since the summer window. Arsenal and United threw their rings in the hat recently as well.

Schalke are confident of holding on to him until the end of the season, but Goretzka himself admitted that he was considering other options in January. With the World Cup fast approaching, it makes sense for him to move to a bigger club to remain in Joachim Low’s plans for the tournament.

CAM: Mesut Ozil

Can Wenger hold on to his star man?

Ozil continues to divide the Gunners’ fanbase, but several impressive performances of late might have changed the mind of some of his critics.

The German playmaker’s low defensive work rate has earned him the wrath of several Arsenal fans, but no one can dispute his quality and importance to the current Arsenal squad.

Nevertheless, Arsene Wenger has failed to renew Ozil’s contract, and United and Barcelona have been linked with him recently.

Considering the fact that Wenger doesn’t have a lot of players with the German’s skill set, he will have to start working on a renewal as soon as possible if he has any desire to hold on to him next season.

LW: Alexis Sanchez

Man City beckons for the Chilean winger

Another disgruntled Arsenal player on the list, Sanchez has been unhappy in London for a while now, although he has arguably spent the best years of his playing career there since joining the Gunners in 2014.

Arsenal’s lack of silverware apart from the FA Cup, not to mention their failure to qualify for the Champions League last season, has left Alexis hungry for more silverware.

Man City have been circling around for the Chilean winger, and Sanchez is probably one of the very few players who can improve an already indestructible squad.

With Arsenal still being linked to Thomas Lemar, Wenger will most likely let Sanchez leave if he can wrap up a deal for the Monaco forward.

While City still remain the frontrunners, PSG are also an option, although Guardiola is very confident of signing him by June at the latest.

ST: Mario Balotelli

"Super Mario" will leave Nice very soon

After disastrous spells at Livepool and AC Milan, Super Mario has managed to bring his career back on track in the last couple of seasons with Nice.

He’s been on fire this season, having already scored 10 goals in 13 matches. Possibly the most controversial striker of his generation, Balotelli last made an appearance for Italy back in 2014.

With his contract running out next June, Nice have admitted that they cannot afford his wages any longer. Balotelli himself wants to move to a bigger club.

Currently 27 years old, he reportedly wants to play continental football again and has been eyeing a return to Man City on a free for a while. That remains very unlikely, as Pep is already struggling to keep his two existing strikers (Aguero and Jesus) happy with adequate playing time.

But his recent form will have certainly caught the attention of other clubs in Europe monitoring his contract situation. He will most probably leave France very soon, but his destination remains to be seen.

RW: Arjen Robben

The Dutch winger is approaching the end of his career and might leave Bayern

The Dutch speedster continues to defy age with 3 goals in 11 appearances in the Bundesliga this season. While he is still an important player for Jupp Heynckes, his long-term future at Bayern is up in the air.

The Munich giants have signed the likes of Kingsley Coman and James Rodriguez as replacements for Robben and Ribery, who are now well into their thirties.

This means that there is a possibility of Bayern opting not to renew Robben’s contract when it expires next summer, although his form might convince them otherwise.

He’s been at Bayern for so long that its almost impossible to imagine Robben playing elsewhere, especially at the age of 33.

There were a few reports back in the summer that he was tempted by a move to United, who were on the lookout for a new winger. But a move to England now doesn’t seem like a possibility, with Mourinho having prioritized a left back for the winter window.

A move back to the Netherlands does remain a possibility, but Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed that he planned to have talks with Robben and Ribery over a renewal.